Unregistered barrister Shazia Anjum, was ordered to be disbarred by an independent disciplinary tribunal which concluded on 23 November 2023 following findings of professional misconduct brought by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
The tribunal found that Ms Anjum behaved in a way which could reasonably be seen by the public to undermine her honesty and/or integrity, in that, while practising as a solicitor, she caused or allowed one or more improper transfers of money from the Firm’s client account and, knowing that her firm’s account had been frozen, attempted to arrange for client funds to be paid into an account other than the firm’s office or client account. These charges were found proved before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal in November 2020 and Ms Anjum was struck off as a solicitor. Furthermore, Ms Anjum failed to notify the BSB of the Solicitors Regulation Authority disciplinary proceedings and of the serious misconduct which had taken place. Ms Anjum also promoted her services online, offering to supply immigration advice, when she was not in fact authorised to practise either as a barrister or a solicitor.
Commenting on the order, a BSB spokesperson said: “The tribunal found that Ms Anjum behaved dishonestly and committed serious misconduct by causing or allowing one or more improper transfers of money from the firm’s client account and thus breaching her professional obligations as a solicitor. Dishonesty, and Ms Anjum’s failure to inform the Bar Standards Board that she was the subject of this enforcement action by another approved regulator, are very serious matters and the tribunal’s decision reflects this.”
The tribunal’s decision is open to appeal.
ENDS
Notes to editors
About Shazia Anjum
Shazia Anjum was called to the Bar of England and Wales by Lincoln's Inn in March 2012.
About disciplinary tribunals
The Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service (BTAS) is responsible for appointing and administering Disciplinary Tribunals on behalf of the President of the Council of the Inns of Court and its tribunals are independent of the BSB. The BSB is responsible for bringing charges of professional misconduct against barristers, which BTAS tribunal panels then adjudicate. The sanctions imposed are a matter for the tribunal having regard to the facts of the individual case and the BTAS Sanctions Guidance.
About the Bar Standards Board
Our mission is to regulate barristers and specialised legal services businesses in England and Wales in the public interest. For more information about what we do visit: http://bit.ly/1gwui8t
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